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Netball: Australia unveil TV deal, national league

Netball Australia announced Thursday the formation of a new national league and a “significant” deal to broadcast matches that could transform Australia's most popular women's team sport with prime time free-to-air television exposure.

Australia dominate the sport, with their national team, the Diamonds, being crowned world champions 10 times.

To build on their success, Netball Australia announced that this would be the last season of the current trans-Tasman league, which includes teams from New Zealand.

Australia will thereafter focus on a new eight-team national league, playing 60 games, with New Zealand forming a similar competition of their own.

The governing body has signed a five-year broadcasting deal with the Nine Network and communications giant Telstra which will see live free-to-air television for two games a week at prime-time on a Saturday night, along with live streaming.

“This is the most significant broadcasting rights agreement in the history of Australian women’s sport,” said Netball Australia chief executive Kate Palmer.

“It is truly transformative. It lays the foundation for the full professionalisation of elite netball and the cementing of Australia’s reputation as having the prime netball competition in the world.”

No details were given on how much money the broadcast deal was worth, but Palmer said it would ultimately mean higher salaries for players, more money for clubs, better sponsorship opportunities and unprecedented exposure for the sport.

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© 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse

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